Howie’s Heart Spreads Kindness on Good Deeds Day
Small acts of kindness can make a positive difference, especially when people band together. On Good Deeds Day, that becomes a reality when people around the world unite and give back to their communities. For families, simple acts of giving can teach future generations firsthand about the power of service.
According to Howie’s Heart, kindness is at the core of the Long Island-based nonprofit organization’s mission. It was founded by siblings Jennifer, Melissa, and James in honor of their father, Howie Conklin, and has a mission to inspire children, teens, and families to find happiness through helping others.
A Legacy of Love
Howie was deeply devoted to his family and spent his life giving to others. He was the kind of man who welcomed a homeless veteran to Thanksgiving dinner and helped find a Christmas toy for a child in need. He also rescued aging and fragile golden retrievers and gave them a loving home in their final years.
His commitment to helping others deeply impacted his children and inspired them to carry his values forward through Howie’s Heart, which they founded in 2024. Today, the organization brings families together through volunteer opportunities and encourages children and teens to see the impact their actions can have.
Making Kindness “Mission Possible”
Howie’s Heart first became involved with Good Deeds Day the year the Long Island-based nonprofit was created. “We wanted to be part of a day that encourages people everywhere to do something good, and it felt like a natural fit for Howie’s Heart,” Jennifer Camacho, a co-founder of Howie’s Heart, tells Goodnet. “Good Deeds Day is meaningful to us because it reminds people that everyone can make a difference. You don’t have to have a lot of money, a lot of time, or a special skill. You can simply use what you have to help someone else.”
This year, Howie’s Heart encouraged families to spread kindness through its Mission Possible event on Good Deeds Day, giving children and families the chance to come up with their own ways to lend a helping hand. Families chose assignments from a list of challenges, carrying out acts of kindness for neighbors, friends, the community, and strangers. “We wanted families to see that they don’t have to wait for an organized event to do something good. They can make a difference wherever they are,” Camacho adds.
Among this year’s Good Deeds Day participants was 5-year-old Shakti Patel, who showed how far doing good can go. She kept her kindness mission going throughout the day and visited neighbors to give them treats and hugs. Through leading by example, she motivated another family to go out and make a positive impact of its own, a reminder of the ripple effects of kindness.
Inspiring the Next Generation to Do Good Year-Round
For Howie’s Heart, compassion and service extend beyond Good Deeds Day, with community events, Kindness Camps, and family volunteer events taking place throughout the year. The organization also hopes to continue to offer a platform for young people to share their ideas and make an impact.
“We want them to feel that their ideas matter and we want to help shape future leaders who are kind and empathic and driven to help make their communities better,” explains Camacho. “Looking ahead, we just want Howie’s Heart to continue making people feel connected, supported, and inspired to do good,” she adds. “We hope Dad is looking down on us with a big smile.”
By providing opportunities for people of all ages to carry out acts of service, Howie’s Heart shows that anyone can make a difference. It also reminds young people that their actions matter and that even small acts of kindness have the power to make a big impact.
Good Deeds Day, an annual global day of doing good, is the pinnacle of doing good year-round. Initiated in 2007 by businesswoman, philanthropist, and founder of Goodnet, Shari Arison, Good Deeds Day has grown to 115 countries with millions of participants. Good Deeds Day 2027 will be on April 11.
